New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-05-25
SERHING FOREIGNERS

SERVING FOREIGNERS
Not long ago the fatal injury inflicted upon
American wool growers and manufacturers, oy
the rulings Of Democratic Administration
hostile to the protective system and to nome
industry was brought 10 notice by the course
OF the market and by financial events here and
abroad. Now comes another illustration OF
tho same spirit, namely, decision by Judge
MAYNARD. Assistant Secretary OF tho Treasury.
regarding tho duty on platinum The Dul-
lctin OF tho American Iron and Steel Assocls-
ton. in stating the facts, remarks that the
decision has neither law nor reason 10 recon-
mend il TO approval hut that the peculiar man,
| ncr In which IL rendered vas moi nj all
rreditabo to tho Assistant Secretary. The
facts recited are in brief as follows:
Though this country has some fine deposits
of platinum ore, only two works exist Tor the
manufacture of platinum, because that indus
try has never enjoyed the measure OF protoc-
ton which laws Of Congress intended To Hye
Is In 1888, when manufactures OF platinum
were dutiable mt 80 per cent ruling by
Democratic Secretary Of the Treasury admitted
such manufactures free of duty on the ground
that tho words platinum unmanufacturcd' eN'
tended to and included platinum imported In
incots sheets, wire, or generally in any shape
not suited for use without further manufacture
| Though this decision was obviously contrary
to principles of construction which arc applied
to other articles and even more obviously con.
| trary TO common sense and the intent OF the
| lawmakers, it was allowed to stand unrcvcDed
for many years. This seems amazing, when
il is remembered what competent statesmen
have at different times filled the oflice OF Sec
rotary, and yet il illustrates tho fact that.
manufacture being once prevented or stamped
out in this country, by bad legislation or bad
ruling such legislation or ruling is but little
likely TO DO questioned because no American
citizens with capital invested find occasion 10
apply to tho courts or Congress for relief. So
the platinum manufacture was prevented, and
manufactures Of that article were admitted
free OF duty.
But tho revision of 1888 expressly specified
that platinum manufactured, and vases.
retorts and other apparatus, vessels and parts
thereof for chemical uses should be admitted
free Of duty, but that manufactures, articles
or wares not specially enumerated or provided
for in this aot composed wholly or in part of
platinum, and whether partly or wholly manu-
featured" should pay &" As per cent al valorem."
Such was the law which Congress intended to
have in force II specified the articles to he
admitted free, and expressly declared that all
other manufactures or products Of platinum
should bear a named duty. What does Judge
MAYNARD do With indecent haste, seemingly
for the express purpose of preventing any
hearing by Americans interested. and thus
serving the great London firm, Johnston g.
Matthews, which practically has a monopoly OF
the platinum trade, he decided that platinum
wire must be admitted free Of duty because
it is not ready for use without further manu-
facture The old and absurd Democratic de
csion of 1853 is resusctated Tor the express
purpose Of crippling struggling industry and
defeating a law intended to defend a new
| American manufacture.
II is only necessary to add that on the
2Oth of April an appeal was mailed to tho Score
tary with request for hearing; on the 2lst
Judge MAYNARD acknowledged its receipt and
replied that a hearing would be held al his
Office al Washington on the 23d at 10 80 a. m.
which notification could not reach the peti
toner until o'clock p. m on the odd, leaving
him no time to prepare, reach Washington and
state reasons adverse to the decision. In effect
he was asked TO perform physical impossi-
| bility. and this was the only hearing offered 10
American manufacturers in res poet 10 decision
plainly in contempt alike of law and of com
| mon sense.